Lately several people have asked me, are you finding it particularly good to have a garden/homestead right now, with all that’s going on? Its a valid question, as we all try to stay away from crowded places like the grocery store. Even though Farmers’ Markets are outdoors, they are often crowded and many people are touching the produce before selecting what they want (though I’ve heard stories about local markets changing their practices so that doesn’t happen). Our favorite local pastured meat CSAs has had to put a moratorium on new orders for the time being, because so many people want to get their meat delivered. I imagine CSA veg box companies are likewise having a run on subscriptions. (On a side note, I’m so happy that this virus is causing folks to reach out to local farms!)
After the greenhouse dance this morning (moving the seedlings out of the greenhouse in the morning, and back in the greenhouse at night), I spent some time looking around at our crops and determining how I want to play it in the next month of so. An inventory, so to speak: What are we running out of, what will come ripe soon, and what will planting the summer garden do to those crops? I can see that things are going to be lean very soon. We’re reaching that thing called the ‘Hungry Gap,’ which in modern times isn’t the crisis it used to be, since normally we have plenty of everything at the store. But right now, with supply chains the way they are, who knows?
We’re out of broccoli and cauliflower. We are down to the last four cabbages. Nearly all the carrots are gone. We still have plenty of kale, chard, beets, and peas. The garlic and shallots won’t be ready to harvest for a couple of months yet. The parsnips and turnips should ripen in the next couple of weeks, and leeks are on the same schedule. Lettuce seedlings are still quite small, so it’ll be a couple of weeks before we can start eating them.
We’re getting 5-6 eggs a day, which is terrific since every time I go to the grocery I notice that the shelves are empty of eggs. I've been able to share a bunch with friends, family, and neighbors, and soon I will start freezing them (out of the shell, in packages of two) for the times when we are low.
The summer seedlings will be happy to go in the ground in the next few weeks, and it’s a hard thing to determine just when to do that. I usually wait until May 1, but with things the way they are, I might like to get going on that sooner (if only to put it on my ‘to-do’ list which I would love, being low on things to do right now).
Which brings us back to the original question.
Yes! Of course it’s great to have this bounty at our fingertips in times of scarcity; but honestly it’s ALWAYS great. I like to keep up with a homesteader in Tennessee who yesterday posted a video called “NOW the mocking of homesteaders will stop!” I’ve never felt mocked for growing our food, but that’s because even in the sophisticated, tech-rich Bay Area, we’ve always had the back-to-the-landers, and while we often get eye rolls, we are also looked at fondly, as one would look at a slightly ragged pet. I’m imagining right now a lot of people are looking at the practice more favorably. But as I’ve said for years, this is a great thing to do in ANY time and ANY climate. The benefits are huge - for our bodies, for our mental health, and for the earth.
And it’s not hard or expensive to do. You might have a little sunny, protected corner where you could grow a quick crop of radishes and lettuces. It doesn’t have to be an expensive project. Dig some old cardboard out of your recycling bin, make sure it’s free of tape or labels, and cover your patch of ground. Go to the hardware store (still open!) and get a couple of bags of the best dirt you can find - compost based, peat free, fertilizer free (not that brand that puts all kind of synthetic fertilizers in their dirt - you don’t need all that, just a little compost). Spread the dirt 2-6 inches over the cardboard, and put some seeds in it. If you need seeds, let me know - I have a few left and would be happy to mail them to you. Or order a few from a reputable seed house near you (I have several in my recommendations). Or ask your neighbors! If you live in an area that still has cold weather, you could start some things indoors. If you live in my neighborhood, I have several indoor light setups (with heat mats) that aren’t being used right now and I would be happy to lend them to you, if you want to try tomatoes and peppers. I promise we can stay six feet apart while we make the transfer.
Just having a project right now is a healthy thing. Doing this with kids would be even better (science and math included). Getting outdoors is really important for physical and mental health, and having a reason to go outdoors and putter is great. How about planting a little fruit tree in a big pot? How about making a little strawberry patch in a container? How about starting some herb seeds in little pots in your kitchen windowsill? These are all things you could do right now that will increase your joy in life, I guarantee it.
Particularly now, when the virus is ramping up in the states, and several cities seem to be under siege, protecting our mental and physical well-being is very important, and this is one way we can do it. And, if you live near here, and you can’t have a garden of your own, please reach out to me - Poppy Corners can be your refuge, too.